2-benzothiazolyl tetrazolium salt indicators

ABSTRACT

2-Benzothiazolyl tetrazolium salt compounds have been found to be characterized by a reflectance spectrum exhibiting an extended plateau above about 600-650 nm. Such compounds are useful as chromogenic indicators for reducing substances such as NADH. The reflectance plateau confers improved accuracy to analytical assays, particularly for the determination of analytes of medical diagnostic significance, in which a colorimetric response on a reagent carrier matrix is measured by reflectance.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/883,892, filed May 12, 1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 584,902, filed Sep. 19, 1990, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to chromogenic tetrazolium salt indicator compounds useful in the determination of reducing substances, particularly nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH).

Tetrazolium salts are well known as chromogenic indicators responsive to reducing substances. Upon reduction, tetrazolium salts are converted into formazan dye products. These indicators have found use in a wide variety of fields, particularly the medical diagnostic field where they have been applied to, among others, cell staining and the determination of analytes in body fluids such as urine, milk, serum, and plasma. Commonly, the determination of body fluid analytes involves an NAD-dependent enzymatic reaction in which NADH is formed as a function of the amount of analyte present in the sample tested. The amount of NADH generated can then be determined by the reductive conversion of an appropriate tetrazolium salt indicator to its formazan dye product.

Within the field of medical diagnostic tests, tetrazolium salt indicators are useful in a variety of different product types. One particular type is the reagent strip. This product is a solid state device comprising a paper or other porous carrier matrix which is impregnated or otherwise incorporated with chemical reagents responsive to a particular analyte, for example, glucose or cholesterol. The incorporated reagent system includes a chromogenic indicator which develops color, or changes color, as a function of the amount of analyte in a sample applied to the matrix. The resulting colorimetric response can be observed visually to give qualitative or semi-quantitative readings. Quantitative results can be obtained by reading the reflectance of the matrix surface at one or more defined wavelengths with an appropriate instrument (reflectance meter).

There is a recognized need to develop tetrazolium indicators having strong absorbance at wavelengths longer than the absorbances of major interferants that can be present in the test sample. For instance, interference from hemoglobin coloration is a particular concern where the sample is whole blood. Indicators having significant absorption above about 640 nm are required in order to substantially overcome hemoglobin interference. The commonly used tetrazolium salt indicators are 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride (INT), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium chloride (MTT), and 2,2',5,5'-tetraphenyl-3,3'-(3,3'-dimethoxy-4,4'-biphenylene) ditetrazolium chloride (NBT). These compounds show maximum absorption (UVmax) in the range of 465-605 nm.

Another shortcoming of the conventionally used prior art tetrazolium salt indicators relates to the evolution of the instrumentation used to measure their colorimetric response. Rapid advancements are being made in developing smaller, less expensive reflectance meters. One of the more costly components of such meters is the optical system which comprises a light source, a filter or other spectral element for selecting or limiting the wavelength of incident or reflect light, and a sensor. Significant cost savings could be realized by eliminating or combining functions of the optical system elements or by using less expensive components, e.g., LEDs as illuminating light sources. However, commercially available LEDs emit light having a center wavelength that can vary significantly due to manufacturing variances and temperature dependence. The conventionally used tetrazolium salt indicators INT, MTT, and NBT have reflectance spectra which are strongly sloped in the region above their UVmax. Accordingly, without individually calibrating both each instrument, to account for manufacturing variability in the LED, and each test run, to account for variance due to temperature, large errors can be introduced to the assay result.

The following are representative of the prior art teachings concerning the use of various tetrazolium salts in colorimetric analysis. Tanaka et al, Japanese Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 61000084 (Chem. Abst. 104:203469y) describes the detection of glucose using a formazan chelate obtained by the reduction of 2-(2-benzothiazolyl)-3-(carboxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-2H-tetrazolium halide in the presence of nickel (II). Limbach et al, German DE 3,247,894 (Chem. Abst. 101:125929v) relates to the use of INT in glucose assays. Rittersdorf et al, German DE 2,147,466 describes the use of seven 2-(2-benzothiazolyl)-3-phenyl-5-(4-[trimethylammonio]phenyl) tetrazolium salts in the determination of reducing substances such as reducing sugars, ascorbic acid, and ketosteroids.

The variety of 2-thiazolyl tetrazolium salts and/or their corresponding formazans known in the literature are represented by the following. Serebryakova et al, Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin. 10:1403-1405 (1970) desribe the synthesis and chromatic properties of benzothiazolyl-3-phenyl (methyl)-5-p-nitro(dimethylamino)phenylformazans. The authors state that both an electron-withdrawing nitro group at the para-position of the N-5 phenyl and a benzothiazolyl group at the N-1 position provides a bathochromic shift. Bednyagina et al, Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin. 2:342-345 (1967) desribe the synthesis of 1-benzothiazolyl- and 1-benzoxazolyl-3-methyl- (or phenyl) 5-arylformazans. The relationship between the depth of color and basicity of the heterocycle is also discussed. Gulemina et al, Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin. 6:774-777 (1974) describe the effect of an o-nitro group on the structure and properties of benzothiazolylformazans. The ionization constants and IR and UV spectra were determined and related to structure. Lipunova et al, Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin 4:493-499 (1974) describe the preparation of 3-(methyl, isopropyl, phenyl)-1-benzothiazolyl-5-nitrophenylformazans and their spectral properties. Gluemina et al, Zh. Prikl. Spektrosk. 22(5):941-943 (1975) describe the observation of both positive and negative UV thermochromism, depending upon solvent and conditions of temperature change, for 1-benzothiazolyl-, 1-thiazolyl-, and 1-(5-bromothiazolyl)-3-methyl-5-(p-nitrophenyl) formazans. Ponyaev et al, Zh. Obshch. Khim. 55(11):2615-2617 (1985) describe kinetic studies of interconversion of the photoinduced forms of 1-benzothiazolyl-3-methyl-5-phenylformazan analogs. It was shown that these forms are more deeply colored than triphenylformazan. Lipunova et al, Khim. Geterotsikl. Soedin. (1971) 831-835 compare the bathochromic effect of a 5-naphthyl or o-tolyl group on the visible spectrum of 1-benzothiazolylformazans.

Various 2-benzothiazolyl tetrazolium salts and related compounds have also been applied to the photographic field, as represented by the descriptions in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,655,382 and 4,221,864.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides 2-benzothiazolyl tetrazolium salts which upon reduction yield formazans having new and improved optical properties. The compounds of the present invention are of general Formula A: ##STR1## wherein (i) R¹ and R², or R² and R³, or R³ and R⁴, together form a benzo or cyclohexyl ring that is unsubstituted or substituted with alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, cyano, halo, hydroxyl, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, and wherein the others, same or different, are hydrogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, cyano, halo, hydroxyl, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, provided that where R² and R³ together form a benzo or cyclohexyl ring, R¹ is not hydrogen, or

(ii) R¹, R², R³, and R⁴, which can be the same or different, are selected from hydrogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, cyano, halo, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, provided that R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are not all hydrogen;

wherein R⁵ is selected from:

(a₁) residues of Formula B: ##STR2## wherein Q is a bond or --CH═CH--, and wherein (i) Y¹ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, halo, or hydrogen, Y² is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, carboxyl, cyano, halo, hydrogen, nitro, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, Y³ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, carbaryloxy, carboxyl, cyano, halo, hydrogen, hydroxyl, nitro, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, and Y⁴ is alkoxy, halo, or hydrogen, or

(ii) Y² and Y³ together form methylenedioxy or imidazo and Y¹ and Y⁴ are hydrogen,

(b₁) 2, 3, or 4-pyridyl,

(c₁) 2 or 3-thienyl, and

(d1) 2 or 3-furanyl; wherein R⁶ is selected from:

(a₂) residues of Formula C ##STR3## wherein Y⁵ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, halo, hydrogen, nitro, or ureido, Y⁶ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, arylthio, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, carboxyl, cyano, halo, hydrogen, nitro, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, Y⁷ is alkoxy, aryloxy, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, carboxyl, cyano, hydrogen, hydroxyl, nitro, phenylazo, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, or ureido, and Y⁸ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, halo, hydrogen or nitro,

(b₂) residues of Formula D: ##STR4## wherein Y⁹ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, alkylthio, arylthio, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, carboxyl, cyano, halo, hydrogen, nitro, sulfonamido, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido,

(c₂) 2, 4, 6, or 8-quinolyl, or 2-methylquinolyl, and

(d₂) anthranyl; and wherein X is a counteranion.

The present compounds are characterized by a reflectance spectrum exhibiting an extended plateau above 600 nm, preferably above about 650 nm. Such reflectance plateau confers improved accuracy to reflectance-read reagent strip analytical assays, particularly where the optical measurement system has a variable central wavelength.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 show the reflectance spectra of the formazans produced upon reduction of the prior art tetrazolium salts INT, MTT, NBT, and 2-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium salt (USSR) at various concentrations of glucose.

FIGS. 5-10 show the corresponding spectra for the formazans from particular indicator compounds of the present invention (see list at the beginning of the Table in the Examples section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following definitions shall apply to the subject disclosure:

"C₁₋₄ "--used to limit a residue, e.g., C₁₋₄ alkyl, to those forms which contain between 1 and 4 relevant atoms, e.g., carbon atoms, inclusive.

"Alkyl"--linear and branched hydrocarbon residues of the general formula C_(n) H_(2n+1), preferably "lower alkyl" such as the C₁₋₄ alkyls of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, and tert-butyl, as well as higher alkyls such as n-pentyl, n-hexyl, and the like.

"Alkoxy"--the residue --OR wherein R is alkyl.

"Alkylamido"--the residue --NRC(═O)R' wherein R and R', same or different, are alkyl.

"Alkylthio"--the residue --SR wherein R is alkyl.

"Amido"--the residue --NHC(═O)H.

"Amino"--the residue --NRR' wherein R and R', same or different, are hydrogen or alkyl.

"Aryl"--organic residues derived from an aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring or ring system by removal of a hydrogen atom attached to such ring or ring system, e.g., phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, oxazolyl, quinolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, furanyl, and the like.

"Arylamido"--the residue --NRC(═O)R' wherein R and R', same or different, are aryl.

"Aryloxy"--the residue --OR wherein R is aryl.

"Arylthio"--the residue --SR wherein R is aryl.

"Carbalkoxy"--the residue --C(═O)OR wherein R is alkyl.

"Carbaryloxy"--the residue --C(═O)OR wherein R is aryl.

"Carbamoyl"--the residue --C(═O)NRR' wherein R and R', same or different, are hydrogen or alkyl.

"Carboxyl"--the residue --C(═O)OH.

"Halo"--fluoro, chloro, and bromo.

"Imidazo"--the divalent residue --N═CH--NH--.

"Methylenedioxy"--the divalent residue of the formula --O--CH₂ --O--.

"Phenylazo--the residue --N═N-phenyl.

"Styryl"--the residue --CH═CH--R wherein R is aryl.

"Sulfo"--the residue --SO₃.

"Sulfamido"--the residue --NRSO₂ R' wherein R and R', same or different, are alkyl, aryl, or hydrogen.

"Sulfamoyl"--the residue --SO₂ NRR' wherein R and R', same or different, are alkyl, aryl, or hydrogen.

"Trialkylammonio"--the residue --NR₃ ⁺ wherein R is alkyl.

"Ureido"--the residue --NRC(═O)NR' wherein R and R', same or different, are alkyl, aryl, or hydrogen.

It will be understood that, unless otherwise specifically stated, it is intended that the use of the above terms in the case of residues that can be substituted or unsubstituted, e.g., alkyl, aryl, phenylazo, and styryl, shall include the reasonably substituted forms of such residues as well as their unsubstituted forms. Reasonable substitutions which will produce useful compounds of the present invention will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, and will include such substituents, without limitation, as alkoxy, amino, alkylthio, carbalkoxy, carboxy, hydroxy, sulfo, and sulfamoyl, to name just a few.

Preferred R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ Residues

While the benzothiazolyl group can be multiply substituted, in practice, only one or two of the R¹ -R⁴ residues will usually be other than hydrogen, or two will be paired to form a benzo or cyclohexyl ring as described above. Further, from the standpoints of synthesis and absorption spectrum properties of the formazan, particularly preferred compounds are those wherein:

(1) R², R³, and R⁴ are all hydrogen and R¹ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, or carboxy, or

(2) R¹, R², and R⁴ are all hydrogen and R³ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, cyano, halo, hydroxyl, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, or

(3) R¹ is hydrogen and R², R³, and R⁴ are independently alkoxy, aryloxy, or alkyl, or

(4) R² and R⁴ are both hydrogen, R¹ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, or carboxy, and R³ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, or cyano, halo, hydroxyl, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, trialkylammonio, or ureido, or

(5) R¹ and R² together form a benzo ring, R³ is alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, amido, alkylamido, arylamido, alkylthio, arylthio, carbamoyl, carbalkoxy, carboxy, cyano, halo, hydrogen, or ureido, and R⁴ is hydrogen, or

(6) R³ and R⁴ together form a benzo ring and R¹ and R² are both hydrogen, or

(7) R² and R³ together form a cyclohexyl ring, R¹ is alkyl, alkoxy, halo, or hydrogen, and R⁴ is hydrogen.

Based on the properties and synthesis of compounds that have been prepared, the most preferred compounds are those wherein (i) R¹, R², and R⁴ are hydrogen and R³ is C₁₋₄ alkoxy (especially preferred), C₁₋₄ alkyl, carboxy, or halo, or (ii) R¹ and R² together form a benzo ring, R³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, and R⁴ is hydrogen.

Preferred R⁵ and R⁶ Residues

From the standpoints of synthesis and reflectance spectrum properties of the formazan, R⁵ will preferably be selected from:

(a₁) residues of Formula E: ##STR5## wherein (i) Y², Y³, and Y⁴ are each C₁₋₄ alkoxy,

(ii) Y⁴ is hydrogen and Y² and Y³ are both C₁₋₄ alkoxy or together form methylenedioxy, or

(iii) Y² and Y⁴ are both hydrogen and Y³ is C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkylamido, alkylthio, C₁₋₄ alkylthio, carbamoyl, carb(C₁₋₄)alkoxy, carboxyl, cyano, halo, hydrogen, nitro, tri(C₁₋₄)alkylammonio, or ureido, and

(b₁) 2 or 3-thienyl.

Based on the properties and synthesis of compounds that have been prepared, it is most preferred that R⁵ be selected from:

3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl,

3,4-dimethoxyphenyl,

3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl,

4-methoxyphenyl,

4-acetamidophenyl,

4-methylthiophenyl,

4-phenyl,

4-halophenyl,

4-cyanophenyl,

4-nitrophenyl,

2-thienyl, and

3-thienyl.

The preferred R⁶ residues are:

(a₂) residues of Formula C, supra, wherein

(i) Y⁵ is hydrogen and each of Y⁶, Y⁷, and Y⁸ is C₁₋₄ alkoxy.

(ii) Y⁵ and Y⁸ are both hydrogen and Y⁶ and Y⁷ are both C₁₋₄ alkoxy or together form methylenedioxy,

(iii) Y⁵, Y⁶ and Y⁸ are each hydrogen and Y⁷ is C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₁₋₄ alkylamido, C₁₋₄ alkylthio, benzamido, carbamoyl, carb(C₁₋₄)alkoxy, carboxyl, cyano, hydroxyl, nitro, phenylazo, sulfo, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl, or ureido,

(iv) Y⁵ is alkoxy or alkyl, Y⁶ and Y⁸ are both hydrogen, and Y⁷ is C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₁₋₄ alkylamido, C₁₋₄ alkylthio, benzamido, carbamoyl, carb(C₁₋₄)alkoxy, carboxyl, cyano, hydrogen, nitro, phenylazo, or ureido,

(v) Y⁵ and Y⁸ are C₁₋₄ alkoxy, or

(vi) Y⁵ and Y⁸ are C₁₋₄ alkoxy and Y⁷ is C₁₋₄ -alkylamido or benzamido;

(b₂) residues of Formula D, supra, wherein Y⁹ is C₁₋₄ alkoxy, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkylamido, C₁₋₄ alkylthio, benzamido, cyano, halo, hydrogen, nitro, sulfo, sulfonamido, or ureido, and

(c₂) 8-quinolyl.

Based on the properties and synthesis of compounds that have been prepared, it is most preferred that R⁶ be selected from:

3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl,

3,4-dimethoxyphenyl,

2,4-dimethoxyphenyl,

3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl,

4-methoxyphenyl,

4-acetamidophenyl,

4-methylthiophenyl,

4-carboxyphenyl,

4-nitrophenyl,

2-methoxyphenyl,

2-methoxy-4-carboxyphenyl,

2,5-dimethoxyphenyl,

2,5-dimethoxyphenyl-4-benzamidophenyl,

1-naphthyl,

4-nitro-1-naphthyl,

4-methoxy-1-naphthyl,

8-quinolyl,

2-methyl-4-carboxyphenyl,

4-carbmethoxyphenyl,

4-cyanophenyl, and

4-cyano-1-naphthyl.

Counteranion

The selection of the counteranion will be based primarily on considerations of stability and solubility of the particular tetrazolium salt of interest. In general, one can select from such counteranions as the inorganic anions chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, fluroborate, perchlorate, and sulfate, as well as organic anions such as acetate, oxalate, tartrate, and aryl sulfonates (benzene sulfonate, tosylate).

Synthetic Methods

Tetrazolium salts are prepared by methods well known in the literature (Hooper, W. D., Rev. Pure and Appl. Chem., 1969, 19, 221; Putter, R., in Methoden der Organischen Chemie, Houben-Weyl-Muller ed., Thieme Verlag: Stuttgart, 1965, Bd. 10/3, p. 633; Nineham, A. W. Chem. Rev., 1955, pp. 355-483). In general, the tetrazolium salts of the present invention are prepared by first reacting a 2-hydrazinothiazole with an aldehyde and then treating the resulting hydrazone with a diazotized aniline. The resulting formazan is then oxidized to the tetrazolium salt by well known methods. Consequently, the synthesis involves three principal starting materials, the aldehyde, the aniline, and the 2-hydrazinothiazole. ##STR6##

Preparation of 2-hydrazinothiazoles

The appropriately substituted 2-hydrazinobenzothiazoles are prepared from 1-halo-2-nitro arenes (1) by first displacement of the halide with thiocyanate to produce the nitrothiocyanate (2). This is then reduced with reducing agents such as tin, and the resulting aminothiocyanate (3) cyclized to the 2-aminobenzothiazole (4). ##STR7##

The same aminothiocyanate (3) can also be synthesized by treating the amine with thiocyanogen (Metzger, J. V., in Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry, A. R. Katritzky, C. W. Rees ed.; Peragamon: New York, 1984; Vol. 6, Part 4b, p. 324). ##STR8##

The 2-hydrazinothiazole (5) is then prepared by reacting hydrazine with the 2-aminothiazole (4) in ethylene glycol at 140° C. (Liu, K-C., Shih, B-J., Arch. Pharm., 1985, 18, 283). ##STR9##

Other methods of preparing 2-aminobenzothiazoles (4) are reacting the aromatic amine (6) with mineral acid and thiocyanate to produce the thiourea (8) (Org. Synth., Coll. Vol. IV, 180) or reacting the aromatic amine with N-benzoylthiocyanate to form the N-benzoylthiourea (7) and then hydrolyzing the benzoyl group to produce the thiourea (Org. Synth., Coll. Vol., III, 635). Other methods of thiourea preparation can also be found in these references. These thioureas are then oxidized with reagents such as bromine to produce 2-aminobenzothiazoles [Bhargave, P. N., Baliga B. T., J. Ind. Chem., 1958, 5, 807). ##STR10##

Preparation of aldehydes

The aldehydes are obtained from commercial sources or can be prepared by methods familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art.

For instance, aldehydes may be prepared by benzylic oxidation of an arylmethane (March, J., Advances Organic Chemistry Third Edition; John Wiley and Sons: New York, 1985; p. 1079), reduction of an aryl acid chloride (Ibid. p. 396) or aryl acid derivative, [Larock, R. C., Comprehensive Organic Transformations; VCH: New York, 1989; pp. 604-605).

Aryl halides may also be used to synthesize aldehydes. In this method, a transmetallation reaction produces an arylmetallic species which can be treated with a variety of reagents, such as dimethylformamide, to produce the aldehyde (ibid, p. 681-683).

The aforementioned aryl aldehydes, acids, methanes, and halides, may be derivatized with a variety of functional groups prior to their transformation into tetrazolium salts. This may be accomplished by aromatic nucleophilic substitution (March, J., Advanced Organic Chemistry Third Edition; John Wiley and Sons: New York, 1985; pp. 576-607), aromatic electrophilic substitution (ibid., pp. 447-511) or heteroatom-directed metallation reactions (Gschwend, H. W., Rodriguez, H. R., in Organic Reactions, John Wiley and Sons: New York, 1979; Vol. 26, 1).

In cases where the aldehyde piece of the tetrazolium salt contains a phenol or amine, the groups must be protected so that there is not a reaction between these and the diazotized aniline or oxidizing reagent used to prepare the tetrazolium salt.

This can be accomplished by protecting a hydroxyaryl aldehyde as an acetate, performing the reaction sequence to make the formazan, and then hydrolyzing the acetate at pH 10. Acidification to pH 5 and then filtration produces the desired formazan.

Where the resulting phenol formazan reacts with oxidizing agent in the tetrazolium salt preparation, the phenol may be protected by an acid labile group such as dihydropyran (Greene, T. W., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and sons: New York; 1981, pp. 87-113) and which is removed by stirring the tetrazolium salt in acidic conditions.

Similarly amines on the aldehyde piece must be protected to prevent their reaction. This is best accomplished by using an acid labile carbamate (ibid, pp. 218-247) which is later removed by stirring the tetrazolium salt under acidic conditions.

Preparation of aryl amines

Aryl amines may be prepared by reduction of the corresponding nitro or azide compound (Larock, P. C., Comprehensive Organic Transformations; VCH: New York, 1989; pp. 412-415 or 409-410), reaction between an arylmetallic compound and an electrophilic nitrogen reagent, (ibid., pp. 399-400), or rearrangement of acyl azides or oxidized amides (ibid., pp. 431-432).

As in the aldehyde case, electrophilic and nucleophilic aromatic substitution can be used to introduce different functional groups into the aryl amine or synthetic precursor.

Use of the Compounds

The principal use of the tetrazolium salt compounds of the present invention are as chromogenic indicators for detecting reducing substances. In particular, the present compounds are advantageous in the detection of NADH. As such, since NADH is produced in enzyme-catalyzed detection reactions specific for various biochemical substances, the present compounds are particularly useful in medical diagnostic tests. However, in general other reducing substances can also be detected, such as hydrogen sulfide gas, diborane, arsenic hydride, or phosphorus hydride.

The present compounds have been particularly found to exhibit an extended plateau in their reflectance spectra above about 600 nm. The most preferred indicator compounds of the present invention have a plateau above about 650 nm (i.e., the flatest about 50 nm wide portion begins between 640 and 660 nm). Such a reflectance plateau confers improved accuracy to analytical tests based on the measurement of reflectance from a reagent strip.

Reagent strips are known in the art as analytical devices comprising a solid carrier matrix incorporated with a test composition that produces a color change in response to contact with a liquid test sample containing the analyte of interest. Such test composition, in the case of the present invention, comprises (a) a reagent or reagents which react with the analyte to produce a reducing substance, and (b}a 2-thiazolyl tetrazolium salt as described herein which is reducable by such reducing substance to produce a chromogenic formazan dye product. The color response of such reagent strips can be observed visually to give semi-quantitative values, however, quantitative results are obtained by measuring the reflectance of the carrier matrix at a predetermined wavelength. Such measurements involve irradiating the reacted carrier matrix with a light source and sensing the reflectance of the carrier matrix by measuring reflected light with a detector element.

The finding of tetrazolium salt indicators having a reflectance plateau is used to particular advantage where reflectance from a reagent strip is read using an instrument which is subject to variability in the central wavelength of its optical system (the combination of light source, detector element, spectral control elements, e.g., filters), and other components). Variability in the central wavelength of the optical system can be caused by a variety of factors, for example, variability in the central wavelength of the principal spectral control element such as the illuminating light source or filters. For instance, where light emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as the light source, the wavelength of emitted light will typically vary ±4 nm within an instrument and up to ±8 nm between LEDs in different instruments, due to manufacturing variability. Moreover, LEDs are suceptible to variable central wavelength due to temperature effects as well. Where broad band light sources are used with filters to provide spectral control of the central wavelength, variability within an instrument is typically under 1 nm, however, between instrument variability can be as high as ±6 nm. Thus, the present invention is applicable in those situations where the central wavelength of the light reaching the detector element in the instrument is susceptible to variations in the range of about ±5 nm.

In the making of a reagent strip for use in the present invention, selection of the carrier matrix, the test reagents which react with analyte to produce the reducing substance, and the method by which such reagents and the tetrazolium indicator are incorporated with the carrier matrix are matters well known in the art of reagent strips. For the sake of reciting just a few examples, typical carrier matrices are porous and absorbent paper, cloth, glass fiber filters, polymeric membranes and films, and the like. Incorporation methods include impregation of a formed carrier matrix with a solution, suspension, or other liquid form of the test composition, in one or more stpes, followed by drying of the matrix; formation of a matrix in the presence of one or more of the components of the test composition, e.g., by casting or layering solutions of film or membrane forming formulations.

The present invention will now be illustrated, but is not intended to be limited by, the following examples.

EXAMPLES A. Compound Synthesis Hydrazone Preparation

A slurry of 25 mmole of the appropriate aldehyde and 25 mmole of the appropriate hydrazine in 125 mL of absolute ethanol, is refluxed for 3 hours. Water is removed with 3A molecular seives in a Soxhlet extractor. The mixture is cooled to room temperature and then filtered to yield the hydrazone.

Formazan Preparation

The diazonium salt is first prepared by cooling a slurry or solution of 8.5 mmol of the amine in 60 mL of 3 N HCl to 5° C. Sodium nitrite (0.70 g, 10.15 mmol) in 5 mL of water is then added dropwise. After stirring for 30 minutes, the mixture added dropwise to a cold (-25° C.) mixture of 8.5 mmol of the hydrazone in 120 mL of 1:1 (v/v) DMF-pyridine. The reaction is not allowed to warm beyond -15° C. during the addition. The mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature while stirring for two hours. Filtration produces the formazan as a black solid. Impurities can be removed by repeated washing with methanol or refluxing the solid in methanol and filtering while hot.

Tetrazolium Salt Preparation

A slurry of 1.5 mmol of the formazan is stirred with 20 mL of acetic acid and 4 mL of isoamyl nitrite for a period of 16-48 hours. The mixture is then filtered to yield the tetrazolium salt. In cases where the salt does not precipitate, dilution with ether caused precipitation.

B. Preparation of Reagent Strips

Each indicator was impregnated into a reagent strip and tested with a solution containing a known quantity of glucose, cholesterol, or NADH. The reagent strip consists of a polystyrene handle onto which a single reagent pad is attached. The reagent pad was 0.2×0.2" square and contains reagents allowing for a color change which was instrumentally read when an aliquot of sample containing the appropriate analyte was applied. The dry-phase reagent pad is a solid support composed of cellulosic fibers or a nylon membrane as examples. The reagent pad was impregnated first with a solution of the tetrazolium salt of interest (0.08M/L) and detergent (0.3%) in a solvent such as methanol. The second solution impregnated into the reagent pad contains the following components:

    ______________________________________                                         Glucose Strips                                                                 Glucose Dehydrogenase (GDH)                                                                            0.8    U/L                                             Diaphorase (DPH)        0.8    U/L                                             NAD                     0.03   Mol/L                                           PIPES Buffer            0.15   Mol/L                                           Detergent               0.5%                                                   Cholesterol Strips                                                             Cholesterol Dehydrogenase (CDH)                                                                        0.3    U/L                                             Cholesterol Ester Hydrolase (CEH)                                                                      0.6    U/L                                             Diaphorase              0.3    U/L                                             NAD                     0.04   Mol/L                                           Pipes Buffer            0.2    Mol/L                                           Detergent               1%     v/v                                             ______________________________________                                    

About 0.01 ml of several test solutions (serum, plasma, aqueous) containing at least five different analyte concentrations between 0 and 33 mM was applied to the center of the dried reagent pad. After a lag time of about 60 seconds, the reflectance spectra of each indicator was measured at 5 nm increments over the wavelength range of 400 to 1100 nanometers.

C. Utility Data

Following is a table of spectral and other analytical data pertaining to various synthesized tetrazolium salts of the present invention. The compounds are organized, in order, by the form of their benzothiazolyl residue then by their R⁶ substituent and finally by their R⁵ substituent. For example, the first compound presented is A.1.a) and is of the Formula A wherein all of R¹ -R⁴ are hydrogen (forming an unsubstituted benzothiazolyl ring), R⁶ is 4-nitrophenyl, and R⁵ is 4-acetamidophenyl; the second compound, A.1.b), has the same benzothiazolyl residue and the same R6 substituent as compound A.1.a) but with R⁵ being phenyl; and so forth.

The reflectance spectrum of tetrazolium salts is understood to be dependent upon the environment in which they are observed or measured. For purposes of comparison between individual tetrazolium salts, the data below include a measurement of the relative flatness of the flatest portion of reflectance spectrum at wavelengths greater than 600 nm, which spectrum is generated using a glucose or cholesterol reagent strip prepared as described in Part B above. The relative flatness of the spectrum is expressed in the data in K/S units normalized for the level of analyte detected as defined below.

K/S is defined by the equation ##EQU1## wherein R is instrumentally read reflectance units. Percent change in K/S is the change, expressed as a percentage, over a 50 nm range divided by the average of the high and low K/S values over such range.

The plateau property of the present compounds shall be understood, for the purposes of this invention, as a percent change in reflectance spectrum (expressed in terms of K/S as defined in the paragraph above) of less than about 17% over a 30-50 nm wavelength span beginning at a wavelength above about 600 nm. The more preferable compounds exhibit a plateau having a percent change in K/S of less than an about 10% over a 50 nm wavelength span. Most preferred are those tetrazolium salt indicators exhibiting a percent change in K/S of about 5% or less over a 50 nm wavelength span. Compounds having a more sloped reflectance spectrum are nonetheless preferred where the flatest portion is at wavelengths above 650 nm, preferably above 675 nm.

With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 show the reflectance spectra of the formazans produced upon reduction of the prior art tetrazolium salts INT, MTT, and NBT at various concentrations of glucose. For purposes of comparison, FIGS. 5-10 show the corresponding spectra for selected compounds of the present invention. The presence of a plateau in the spectra of the formazans from the present compounds, and its absence from that of the formazans from the prior art compounds is readily apparent.

The four above-mentioned prior art compounds exhibit percent changes in K/S over the wavelength range 650-700 nm as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                 INT   71%                                                                      MTT   178%                                                                     NBT   73%                                                                      USSR  28%                                                              ______________________________________                                    

The lower the percent K/S value for the formazan, the more tolerant is the tetrazolium salt to variations in the central wavelength of the optical system used to measure reflectance, and hence to measure analyte concentration.

The following non-standard abbreviations are used in the text below:

"UV"--The wavelength in nanometers of maximum reflectance peak in the UV reflectance spectrum of the formazan. The extinction coefficient and solvent used during measurement are given in parentheses.

"nm"--The position of the flatest portion of the reflectance spectrum of the formazan over a 50 nm wavelength span (expressed as the beginning and ending wavelengths in nanometers).

"K/S"--The percent change in K/S units over the above mentioned flatest 50 nm portion of the reflectance spectrum. The concentration of analyte used to generate the reflectance spectrum is given in parentheses. Mmol refers to the concentration in mmol/liter.

TABLE

Following is a list of the compounds whose reflectance spectra are shown in FIGS. 5-10 of the drawings. Their shorthand reference number and location in the table that follows are given in brackets ahead of the compound names.

[MBL10][A-2-b] 2-(Benzothiazol-2-yl-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt

[HTC15][B-6-a] 2-(6-Ethoxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(1-naphthyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt

LNH82][G-1-a] 2-(Naphtho[1,2-d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-(2-methoxy-4-carboxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt

HTC57][G-17-a]2-(Naphtho[1,2-d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-carboxyphenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt

HTC42][G-23-a] 2-(Naphtho[1,2-d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-methylthiophenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt

HTC41][H-1-a] 2-(8-Methoxy[1,2-d]naphthol-2-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt

A. Benzothiazol-2-yl 1. R⁶ =4-nitrophenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 478 nm (7.8×10³ dioxane);

nm: 620-670 nm; K/S: 9% (11.1 mmol)

IR(KBr): 3441, 1691, 1684, 1614, 1600, 1535, 1486, 1460, 1425, 1385, 1318, 1262, 1183, 979, 853 cm

NMR (300 NHz, CDCl₃): δ8:67 (d, 2H, J=8.9Hz, ArNO₂ H), 8.33 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz), 8.36 (d, 2H, J=9.3 Hz, ArH), 8.37-8.41 (m, 1H, ArH), 7.99 (d, 2H, J=8.7 Hz, ArH) 7.96-7.99 (m, 1H, benzothiazole H), 7.67-7.78 (m, 3H, benzothiazole H).

Mass Spectrum FAB m/e: 120 (81.1), 162 (100)

b) R⁵ =phenyl

UV: 540 nm (4.79×10³, dioxane);

c) R⁵ =phenyl

UV: 576 nm (3.89×10³, dioxane)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 7.5% (11.1 mmol)

d) R⁵ =4-nitrostyryl

UV: 512 nm (11.2×10³, dioxane)

e) R⁵ =4-methoxystyryl

UV: 514 nm (7.17×10³, dioxane)

f) R⁵ =4-nitrophenyl

UV: 542 nm (2.1×10³, dioxane)

g) R⁵ =4-phenylphenyl

UV: 558 nm (14.1×10³, dioxane)

h) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 584 nm (4.8×10³, dioxane)

nm: 570-620 nm; K/S: 16% (9.1 mmol)

i) R⁵ =4-phenoxyphenyl

UV: 564 nm (10.3×10³, dioxane)

j) R⁵ =2-thienyl

UV: 566 nm (6.3×10³, dioxane)

k) R⁵ =5-nitro-2-thienyl

UV: 514 nm (15.2×10³, dioxane)

l) R⁵ =3,4-dimethoxyphenyl

UV: 588 nm (2.3×10³, dioxane)

nm: 600-650 nm; K/S: 14% (11.1 mmol)

m) R⁵ =4-pyridyl

UV: 516 nm (8.6×10³, dioxane)

n) R⁵ =5-bromo-2-thienyl

UV: 518 nm (6.1×10³, dioxane)

o) R⁵ =3-thienyl

UV: 512 nm (7.5×10³, dioxane)

p) R⁵ =2-pyridyl

UV: 478 nm (9.6×10³, dioxane)

q) R⁵ =4-fluorophenyl

UV: 546 nm (2.96×10³, dioxane)

r) R⁵ =4-hydroxyphenyl

UV: 582 nm (1.0×10³, dioxane)

s) R⁵ =3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl

UV: 578 nm (1.0×10³, dioxane)

nm: 560-610 nm; K/S: 10% (11.1 mmol)

t) R⁵ =4-(methylthio)phenyl

UV: 576 nm (1.5×10³, dioxane)

u) R⁵ =1,4-benzodioxyl

UV: 582 nm (4.8×10³,dioxane)

2. R⁶ =4-methoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =phenyl

UV: 468 (14.5×10³, dioxane) 476 (water)

nm: 625-675 nm; K/S: 15% (22 mmol)

b) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl (MBL10)

nm: 665-715 nm; K/S: 10% (33 mmol)

3. R⁶ =4-methoxy-1-naphthyl

a) R⁵ =phenyl

UV 504 (7.8×10³,dioxane) 495 (water)

4. R⁶ =4-bromophenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 480 (7.7×10³, dioxane)

B. 6-ethoxybenzothiazol-2-yl 1. R⁶ =4-nitrophenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 598 nm (3.2×10³, dioxane)

nm: 625-675 nm; K/S: 9% (14 mmol)

IR(KBr): 3447, 1601, 1535, 1459, 1255, 1183, 853 cm⁻¹

NMR (CDCl₃): δ8.42-8.70 (5H), 8.16-8.32 (2H), 8.03-8.12 (1H), 7.69-7.84 (2H), 7.16-7.27 (1H benzothiazol), 4.18 (q, 2H, J=6.9 Hz), 2.56 (q, 2H, J=7.4 Hz), 1.46 (t, 3H, J=6.9 Hz), 1.17 (t, 3H, J=7.4 Hz).

b) R⁵ =4-hydroxyphenyl

UV: 601 nm (13×10³, dioxane)

c) R⁵ =4-(2,3-dihydroxypropylthio)phenyl

UV: 604 nm (8.4×10³, dioxane)

d) R⁵ =4-(trimethylammonium)phenyl

UV: 604 nm (5.0×10³, dioxane)

nm: 540-590 nm; K/S: 15% (11.1 mmol)

2. R⁶ =phenyl

a) R⁵ =4-(dihydroxypropylthio)phenyl

UV: 530 nm (1.0×10³, dioxane)

b) R⁵ =4-(trimethylammonium)phenyl

UV: 530 nm (8.3×10³, dioxane)

c) R⁶ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 545 (water)

nm: 620-670 nm; K/S: 18% (11.1 mmol)

3. R⁶ =4-nitro-1-naphthyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 612 nm (3.4×10³, dioxane)

nm: 675-725 nm; K/S: 5% (14.1 mmol)

b) R⁵ =(4-trimethylammonium)phenyl

UV: 634 nm (4.6×10³, dioxane)

nm: 640-690 nm; K/S: 15% (11.1 mmol)

4. R⁶ =8-quinolyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 628 nm (12.1×10³, 420)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 8% (8.1 mmol)

IR(KBr): 3436, 1684, 1600, 1531, 1458, 1423, 1385, 1318, 1258, 959, 939, 834 cm⁻¹

NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ10.8 (s, 1H, NH), 8.67-8.83 (m, 3H), 8.34 (d, 24, J=8.8 Hz, pH), 8.11 (t, 1H, J=7.8 Hz), 8.04 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, pH), 7.87 (d, 1H, J=2.5 Hz), 7.74 (dd, 1H, J=8.4 Hz, 4.3 Hz), 7.46 (1H, J=9.1 Hz), 7.12 (dd, 1H, J=9.0 Hz, 2.6 Hz), 4.10 (q, 2H, J=7.0 Hz, --CH₂ --Me), 2.26 (s, 34, CH₃ --CO), 1.35 (t, 3H, J=7.0 Hz, Me).

Mass Spectrum (FAB) m/e: 508 (M⁺ -1, 18.7), 353 (24.1), 128 (100).

5. R⁶ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 504 nm (ε5.9×10³, dioxane)

nm: 670-720 nm; K/S: 14% (11.1 mmol)

IR(KBr): 3465, 1602, 1540, 1501, 1462, 1384, 1254, 1179, 1117, 1037, 932, 813 cm⁻¹

NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ8.01 (d, 1H, J=9.08), 7.93 (dd, 1H, J=8.14 Hz, 1.79 Hz), 7.92 (d, 1H, J=2.46 Hz), 7.53-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.36 (m, 3H), 6.34 (s, 2H, --OCH₂ O--), 6.26 (s, 2H, --OCH₂ O--), 4.17 (q, 2H), J=6.99 Hz, --CH₂ CH₃), 1.40 (t, 3H, J=6.94 Hz, --CH₂ CH₃)

Mass Spectrum (FAB) m/e: 93.1 (100), 185.2 (27.8), 340 (16.9), 488 (3.0, M+-1) 489 (1.4, M⁺), 490 (7.6, M⁺ +1).

6. R⁶ 1-naphthyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl (HTC15)

UV: 532 (13×10³, dioxane) 632 (water)

nm: 660-710; K/S: 3% (11.1 mmol)

¹ HNMR (300 MHz, 80:20 CDCl₃ /DMSO-d₆): 10.35 (s, 1H), 8.40 (d, J=8, 1H), 8.40 (d, J=8, 1H), 8.28 (m, 2H), 8.17 (d, J=8, 1H), 8.03 (d, J=8.5, 2H), 7.95 (d, J=8, 1H), 7.8-7.6 (m, 3H), 7.58 (d, J=7.5, 1H) 7.45 (d, J=9, 1H), 7.08 (dd, J=2.59, 9, 1H), 4.13 (q, J=7, 2H), 2.2 (s, 3H), 1.43 (t, J=7, 3H).

b) R⁵ =4-nitrophenyl

UV: 600 (8.4×10³, dioxane) 620 (water)

nm: 645-695 nm; K/S: 7% (9.4 mmol)

7. R⁶ =2-methyl-4-carboxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 600-630 (11×10³, dioxane)

nm: 615-665; K/S: 5% (11.1 mmol)

8. R⁶ =4-carboxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV 592 (9.5×10³, dioxane) 610 (water)

nm: 615-665 nm; K/S: 2% (8.1 mmol)

9. R⁶ =4-methoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =phenyl

UV: 488 (14.5×10³, dioxane)

10. R⁶ =4-chloro-1-naphthyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 600 (water)

nm: 610-660; K/S: 3% (8.3 mmol)

11. R⁶ =4-cyano-1-naphthyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 632 (9.1×10³, dioxane) 606 (water)

nm: 625-675; K/S: 11% (8.3 mmol)

C. (5,6,7,8)-Tetrahydronaphtho[2,3-d]thiazol-2-yl 1. R⁶ =4-nitronaphthyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 624 nm (5.1×10³, dioxane)

nm: 635-685 nm; K/S: 14% (14 mmol) IR(KBr): 1635, 1540, 1500, 1470, 1440, 1390, 1260, 1120, 1040, 920 cm⁻¹

NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ8.99-9.12 (m, 1H, naphthalene), 8.60 (d, 1H, J=8.6 Hz), 8.25 (d, 1H, J=4.9 Hz, naphthalene) 7.72-7.94 (m, 6H, naphthalene and benzothiazole), 7.55 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, PhNHAC), 7.12-7.23 (m, 2H, naphthalene), 7.01 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, PhNHAC), 2.70-290 (broad S, 4H, --CH₂ --), 1.80-2.95 (m, 7H, CH₃ CO-- and --CH₂ --).

Mass Spectrum (E2) m/e: 121 (22.4), 149 (100, 165 (34.7), 165 (34.7), 164 (20.7), 205 (26.2), 349 (M⁺ --1--C₁₀ H₂ NO₂, 12.1)

Mass Spectrum (FAB) m/e: 350 (M⁺ --C₁₀ H₂ NO₂, 100).

b) R⁵ =4-methoxyphenyl

UV: 590 nm (9.0×10³, dioxane)

nm: 640-690 nm; K/S: 7.1% (14 mmol)

c) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 626 nm (1.2×10³, dioxane)

nm: 660-710 nm; K/S: 5% (9.1 mmol)

d) R⁵ =4-fluorophenyl

UV: 612 nm (3.4×10³, dioxane)

nm: 625-675 nm; K/S: 8.5% (14 mmol)

2. R⁶ =4-nitrophenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 596 nm (2.0×10³, dioxane)

nm 640-690 nm; K/S: 16% (14 mmol)

b) Rhu 5=4-methoxyphenyl

UV: 590 nm (9.0×10³, dioxane)

nm: 645-695 nm; K/S: 8% (14 mmol)

c) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 598 nm (4.4×10³, dioxane)

nm: 640-690 nm; K/S: 20% (14 mmol)

d) R⁵ =4-hydroxyphenyl

UV: 598 nm (6.0×10³, dioxane)

3. R⁶ =1-naphthyl

a) 4-(2-(2-(2-ethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)phenyl

UV: 436 nm (12×10³, H₂ O)

D. 6-methylbenzothiazol-2-yl 1. R⁶ =3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxy

UV: 492 nm (4.7×10³, dioxane)

nm: 655-705 nm; K/S: 20% (11.1 mmol) IR(KBr): 1604, 1540, 1496, 1464, 1432, 1370, 1317, 1254, 1123, 1037, 993, 822, 770, 735 cm⁻¹

NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6): δ8.17 (5, 1H, PhH), 8.01 (d, 1H, J=8.48 Hz). 7.95 (dd, 1H, J=8.13 Hz, 1.76 Hz), 7.85 (d, 1H, J=1.72 Hz), 7.57 (dd, 1H, J=8.19 Hz), 1.53 Hz), 7.49 (s, 2H), 7.32 (d, 1H, J=8.16 Hz), 6.30 (s, 24, --OCH₂ --O), 3.85 (s, 3H, --OMe), 3.79 (s, 6H, OMe), 2.54 (s, 3H, --CH₃)

Mass Spectrum (FAB) m/e: 93.2 (100, 185 (62.8), 310 (25.9), 325 (4.1), 504 (10.9, M⁺ -1)

b) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 492 nm (3.6×10³, dioxane)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 10% (11.1 mmol)

c) R⁵ =3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl

UV: 492 nm (4.9×10³, dioxane)

nm: 655-705 nm; K/S: 8% (11.1 mmol)

2. R⁶ =4-methoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 488 nnm (3.9×10³, dioxane)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 8% (17.7 mmol)

IR(KBr): 1690, 1599, 1531, 1501, 1459, 1422, 1370, 1317, 1265, 1181, 1164, 1021, 977, 837, 747, 695 cm⁻¹

NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ10.45, (s, 1H, --NHAc), 8.30 (d, 2H, J=8.75 Hz, Ph--H), 8.17 (s, 1H, PhH), 7.90-8.11 (m, 5H), 7.26-7.40 (m, 1H), 3.84 (s, 3H, --OMe), 2.50 (s, 3H, --Me), 2.14 (s, 3H, CH₃)

Mass Spectrum (FAB) m/e: 93, 100, 149 (8.1), 163 (19.9), 185 (91.1), 323 (21.6) 457 (7.1, M⁺ -1)

E. 6-carboxybenzothiazol-2-yl 1. R⁶ =3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 408 nm (4.9×10³, dioxane)

nm: 665-735 nm; K/S: 10% (11.1 mmol)

IR(KBr): 3405, 3200-2500 (broad), 1700, 1602, 1500, 1451, 1259, 1122, 1034, 990, 815, 771 cm⁻¹

NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ8.57 (s, 1H, PhH), s, 7.95 dd, 1H, J=8.09, 1.68 Hz), 7.85 (d, 1H, J=1.70 Hz), 7.17-7.43 (m, 4H), 7.02 (d, 1H, J =8.0 Hz), 6.11 (s, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.74 (s, 6H, OMe)

Mass Spectrum (FAB) m/e: 93.1 (57.1), 167.2 (100), 185.2 (50.8), 340.1 (48.1, M^(+--C) ₈ H₅ NSO₂)

2. R⁶ =4-nitrophenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 568 nm (0.6×10³, dioxane)

F. 5,6,7-trimethoxybenzothiazol-2-yl 1. R⁶ =4-carboxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =4-methoxyphenyl

UV: 594 (dioxane); 516 (water)

nm: 630-680; K/S: 19% (8.3 mmol)

¹ H NMR (DMSOd₆) 8.33 (m, 3H), 8.20 (d, J=7, 2H), 7.35 (m, 3H), 4.10 (s, 3H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.85 (s, 6H)

G. naphtho[1,2-d]thiazol-2-yl 1. R⁶ =2-methoxy-4-carboxyphenyl (LHN82)

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 568 nm (4.5×10³, 420)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 12% (11.1 mmol)

IR(KBr) 1713, 1605, 1499, 1466, 1433, 1315, 1259, 1209, 1037, 741 cm⁻¹

NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ8.42 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz, --Ph), 8.17-8.17 (m, 3H), 8.00-7.96 (m, 2H), 7.87-7.66 (m, 5H), 7.33 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz), 6.30 (s, 2H, OCH₂ O), 3.82 (s, 3H, --OMe)

Mass Spectrum (FAB) m/e: 93 (100, 185 (47), 346 (18), 524 (23, M⁺ -1)

b) R⁵ =4-(2-(2-(hydroxyethoxy)-ethoxy)ethoxy)-phenyl

UV: 566 nm (3.2×10³ ·H₂ O)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 6% (11.1 mmol)

2. R⁶ =4-acetamidophenyl

a) R⁵ =4-cyanophenyl

UV: 524 nm (9×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 16% (8.1 mmol)

IR(KBr): 3437, 3047, 1694, 1594, 1537, 1503, 1462, 1414, 1384, 1265, 1172, 985, 848 cm⁻¹

NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ10.85 (s, 1H, NHAc), 8.59 (d, 24, J=8.4 Hz), 8.41 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz), 8.30-8.64 (m, 94), 7.79-7.76 (m, 2H), 2.18 (s, 3H, --NHCOCH3)

Mass Spectrum (FAB) m/e: 91 (100), 109 (28, 181 (56), 217 (45), 232 (13), 327 (8), 488 (10, M⁺ -1), 487 (4, M+)

b) R⁵ =4-carbomethoxyphenyl

UV: 558 nm (12×10³, 420)

nm: 660-710 nm; K/S: 25% (8.3 mmol)

c) R⁵ =methylenedioxyphenyl

nm: 685-735; K/S: 7% (8.1 mmol)

3. R⁶ =3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =4-(3-trimethylammoniopropoxy)phenyl

UV: 520 (11×10³, water)

nm: 670-720; K/S: 13% (8.3 mmol)

b) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 565 nm (10.3×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 675-725 nm; K/S: 20% (8.3 mmol)

c) R⁵ =4-(2-(2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy)ethoxy) phenyl

UV: 592 nm (11.4×10³, H₂ O)

4. R⁶ =3,4-methylenedioxy

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxy

UV 544 nm (10.7×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 685-735 nm; K/S: 26% (8.3 mmol)

5. R⁶ =4-methoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 546 nm (7.9×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 675-725 nm; K/S: 14% (8.3 mmol)

R⁶ =1-anthryl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV 644 nm (4.1×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 750-800 nm; K/S: 32% (8.3 mmol)

R⁶ =8-quinolyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 640 nm (3.9×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 5% (8.3 mmol)

b) R⁵ =3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl

UV: 628 nm (12.1×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 4% (8.3 mmol)

8. R⁶ =2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxy

UV: 654 nm (7.0×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 655-705 nm; K/S: 17% (8.3 mmol)

9. R⁶ =2-methoxy-4-carbomethoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 630 nm (6.3×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 12% (8.3 mmol)

10. R⁶ =2-methoxy-5-acetamidophenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 584 nm (7.0×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 660-710 nm; K/S: 11% (8.3 mmol)

11. R⁶ =2-methoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 618 nm (10.4×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 10% (8.3 mmol)

12. R⁶ =2,4-dimethoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

nm: 675-725 nm; K/S: 33% (8.3 mmol)

13. R⁶ =2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl

a) R⁵ ≦3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 650 nm (14×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 14% (8.3 mmol)

14. R⁶ =2,5-dimethoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxy

nm: 665-715 nm; K/S: 36% (8.3 mmol)

15. R⁶ =4-nitro-naphthyl

a) R⁵ =4-fluorophenyl

UV: 622 (15.6×10³, dioxane) 632 (water)

nm: 625-725 nm; K/S: 12% (13.8 mmol)

b) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: (13.1×10³, dioxane)

nm: 605-655 nm; K/S: 4% (15 mmol)

c) R⁵ =phenyl

UV: 618 (12.6×10³, dioxane)

nm: 625-675; K/S=8% (14 mmol)

d) R⁶ =4-(2-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)phenyl

UV: 628 nm (6.7×10³, H₂ O)

e) R⁶ =4-(1'-(hydroxymethyl)-2',3'-dihydroxypropylthio)phenyl

UV: 624 nm (5.18×10³, dioxane)

nm: 635-685 nm; K/S: 15% (11.1 mmol)

16. R⁶ =4-nitrophenyl

a) R⁵ =4-(2',3'-dihydroxypropylthio)phenyl

UV: 604 nm (4.9×10³, dioxane)

nm: 635-685 nm; K/S: 4% (11.1 mmol)

b) R⁵ =4-(trimethylammonium)phenyl

UV: 572 nm (14.7×10³, dioxane)

17. R⁶ =4-carboxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl (HTC57)

NMR(DMSO-d₆): δ10.46 (s, 1H), 8.5-8.22 (m, 1H), 8.17 (d, J=8, 1H), 8.02 (d, J=8.8, 2H), 7.85 (dd, J=7.6, 0.9, 1H), 7.78-7.65 (m, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H)

UV: 598 (dioxane); 614 (10.5×10³, water)

nm: 650-700 nm; K/S: 7.5% (13.8 mmol)

b) R⁵ =4-(3-trimethylammoniopropoxy)phenyl

UV: 632 (14.7×10³, H₂ O)

nm: 640-690; K/S: 11% (8.6 mmol)

c) R⁵ =4-(2',3'-dihydroxypropylthio)phenyl

UV: 654 nm (1.0×10³, dioxane)

nm: 645-695 nm; K/S: 11% (11.1 mmol)

d) R⁵ =4-(2-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy) ethoxy)phenyl

nm: 625-675 nm; K/S: 6.5% (8.3 mmol)

e) R⁵ =carbmethoxyphenyl

nm: 605-655; K/S: 11.5% (8.3 mmol)

18. R⁶ =2-methyl-4-carboxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 620-640 (dioxane); 614 (8.4×10³, water)

nm: 625-675 nm; K/S: 3% (14 mmol)

19. R⁶ =2-methyl-4-nitrophenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

UV: 644 (11.3×10³, dioxane) 625 (9.2×10³, water)

nm: 665-715 nm; K/S: 6% (14 mmol)

20. R⁶ =phenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 516 (7.1×10³, dioxane); 526 (7.2×10³, water)

21. R⁶ =4-methoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl

UV: 502 (9.5×10³, dioxane); 500 (water)

22. R⁶ =4-phenylazophenyl

a) R⁵ =4-methoxyphenyl

UV: 614 (dioxane); 618 (water

nm: 625-675 nm; K/S: 11% (8.3 mmol)

23. R⁶ =4-methylthiophenyl

a) R⁵ =4-acetamidophenyl (HTC42)

UV: 524 (dioxane); 526 (water)

nm: 675-725 nm; K/S: 18% (8.3 mmol)

24. R⁶ =4-(3,4-dihydroxybutylamido)phenyl

a) R⁵ =4-methoxyphenyl

UV: 588 (9×10³, dioxane); 578 (12×10³, water)

25. R⁶ =4-carbmethoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =4-methoxyphenyl

UV: 598 (9.4×10³, dioxane); 581 (9.1×10³, water)

nm: 630-680 nm; K/S: 20% (8.3 mmol)

26. R⁶ =4-cyanophenyl

a) R⁵ =3-methoxyphenyl

UV: 602 (12.3×10³, dioxane) 608 (water)

nm: 625-675 nm; K/S: 8% (8.3 mmol)

27. R⁶ =4-benzamido-5-methyl-2-methoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

nm 690-740; K/S: 15% (10.3 mmol)

28. R⁶ =4-benzamido-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl

nm: 715-765; K/S: 17% (10.3 mmol)

H. 8-methoxynaphtho[1,2-d]thiazol-2-yl 1. R⁶ =3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl

a) R⁵ =4-methoxyphenyl (HTC41)

UV: 466 (9.2×10³, dioxane); 530 (9×10³, water)

nm: 670-720 nm; K/S: 12% (8.3 mmol)

NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ8.33 (m, 3H), 7.97 (m, 1H), 7.90 (s, 1H), 7.75 (m, 2H), 7.55 (s, 2H), 7.35 (d, J=9, 2H), 4.10 (s, 3H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 6H)

The present invention has been particularly described and exemplified above. Clearly, other variations and modifications of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. 2-Benzothiazol tetrazolium salts which are selected from the group consisting of 2-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-ethoxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-ethoxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-nitro-1-naphthyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-ethoxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(8-quinolyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-ethoxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(1-naphthyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-ethoxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(1-naphthyl)-5-(4-nitrophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-yl)-3-(2-methyl-4-carboxyphenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-ethoxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-carboxyphenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-ethoxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-chloro-1-naphthyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-[(5,6,7,8)-tetrahydronaphtho (2,3-d) thiazolyl-2-yl]-3-(4-nitronaphthyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2[(5,6,7,8)-tetrahydronaphtho(2,3-d)thiazol-2-yl]-3-(4-nitronaphthyl)-5-(3,4-methylenedioxy-phenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-[(5,6,7,8)-tetrahydronaphtho[2-3-d]thiazol-2-yl]-3-(4-nitronaphthyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2[(5,6,7,8)-tetrahydronaphtho(2,3-d)-thiazolyl-2-yl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-methylbenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-methylbenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-methylbenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-(6-carboxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-[naphtho(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(2-methoxy-4-carboxyphenyl-5-[4-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-ethoxy)-ethoxy)-ethoxy-phenyl]tetrazolium salt; 2-[naphtho(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(4-acetamidophenyl)-5-(methylenedioxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-[naphtho-(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(8-quinolyl)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2[naphtho-(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-[naphtho(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(4-nitronaphthyl)-5-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-[naphtho(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(4-nitronaphthyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium salt; 2-[naphtho-(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-[4-(2',3'-dihydroxypropylthio)phenyl] tetrazolium salt; 2-[naphtho-(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(4-carboxyphenyl)-5-(4-acetamidophenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-[naphtho-(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(4-carboxy phenyl)-5-[4-(2-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)phenyl] tetrazolium salt; 2-[naphtho-(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(2-methyl-4-carboxyphenyl)-5-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt; 2-[naphtho(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(2-methyl-4-nitrophenyl)-5-(3,4-methylene-dioxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt; and 2-[naphtho(1,2-d)-thiazol-2-yl]-3-(4-cyanophenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl) tetrazolium salt.
 2. A method for the detection of a reducing substance which comprises introducing one or more of the tetrazolium salts of claim 1 into a medium suspected of containing the reducing substance and determining the presence of the reducing substance by a color change in the tetrazolium salt. 